# NTSB FTW86LA029: Piper PA-31-325, N27842, Junction, TX, December 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1985, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Junction, TX
- Coordinates: 30.479703, -99.769363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4797&lon=-99.7694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA029

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system - open (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,partial (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, descent - emergency
  - remedial action - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT NOTICED OIL STREAMING OUT FROM THE OIL FILLER ACCESS DOOR ON THE RIGHT ENGINE COWLING. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE CLIMBING AND MAKE A TEAR DROP TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND LAND IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM WHICH HE HAD DEPARTED.HE ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS ON UNICOM RADIO.ANOTHER PILOT RESPONDED THAT HE WAS PRESENTLY ON THE RUNWAY BUT WOULD CLEAR IT AS SOON AS POSIBLE. THE SUBJECT PILOT THEN DECIDED TO MAKE A GO AROUND. DURING THIS TIME THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER STATED HE OBSERVED FLAMES IN THE RIGHT ENGINE COWL.THE PILOIT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLER.HE ADDED FULL POWER TO THE LEFT ENGINE AND RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS.HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND DECIDED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING STRAIGHT AHEAD IN AN OPEN FIELD.HE HAD TO PULL UP ONCE TO AVOID A POWER LINE AND MANEUVER TO AVOID AN ANTENNA.HE MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING AND ALL OCCUPANTS EXITED.THE FLAMES QUICKLY SPREAD AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY GROUND FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27842](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27842-1988-11-28), registration cancelled 1988-11-28, S/N 317912055 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7912055
- Airframe hours: 1490
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. D. Norton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1985
- Departed: JCT, JUNCTION, TX
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: JCT, Kimble Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 420 in this make and model, 3,005 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19851229063869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851229063869A), Dec 29, 1985: Piper PA31325, Junction, TX, Destroyed. Oil streamed out of engine after takeoff. Other aircraft on runway. Landed gear up off airport. Oil dipstick loose.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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